History of oesophageal reflux, systemic disease (e.g., telangiectasias, psoriasis), and recent intake of medications that can induce oesophagitis: for example, immunosuppression, corticosteroid, antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline), ferrous sulphate, and ascorbic acid.Physical examination may include the skin, looking for evidence of immunosuppression or systemic disease (e.g., telangiectasias, psoriasis), and the oropharynx, looking for ulcers, thrush, and leukoplakia.Although the patient may be asymptomatic, typical symptoms include odynophagia, dysphagia, retrosternal chest pain, and heart burn, together with 'coffee ground' emesis, anorexia, weight loss, cough, fever, and sepsis.
History of oesophageal reflux, systemic disease (e.g., telangiectasias, psoriasis), and recent intake of medications that can induce oesophagitis: for example, immunosuppression, corticosteroid, antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline), ferrous sulphate, and ascorbic acid.Physical examination may include the skin, looking for evidence of immunosuppression or systemic disease (e.g., telangiectasias, psoriasis), and the oropharynx, looking for ulcers, thrush, and leukoplakia.Although the patient may be asymptomatic, typical symptoms include odynophagia, dysphagia, retrosternal chest pain, and heart burn, together with 'coffee ground' emesis, anorexia, weight loss, cough, fever, and sepsis.
FBC: may show anaemia.HIV test: may be positive in high-risk patients.Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy is the diagnostic test of choice because it allows mucosa visualisation, showing irritation/inflammation, brushing, and biopsy of the lesions.
FBC: may show anaemia.HIV test: may be positive in high-risk patients.Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy is the diagnostic test of choice because it allows mucosa visualisation, showing irritation/inflammation, brushing, and biopsy of the lesions.